The Nile From Space Is a Long, Meandering Line of Light and Life

As views go, astronauts aboard the International Space Station get a pretty good deal. Like this sensational sight of the Nile at night; a glowing line of light and life cutting through the expanse of Africa.

The picture shows the Nile flowing from central Africa down the image towards the Mediterranean. You can see vibrancy and life lining its banks, which then grows wider towards the mouth of the river, the Nile Delta, which is both heavily farmed and populated. The river flows 4,132 miles along the way, providing water to more than 300 million people.

The image was acquired by astronaut Scott Kelly, who’s been aboard the ISS since March 2015. [Scot Kelly via Discover]